Red Wings' Patrick Eaves hit in jaw with deflected puck; Mikael Samuelsson still not practicing with team

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves tries to keep control of the puck from Columbus' Adrian Aucoin during a recent game.AP file photo

DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Eaves is having his jaw checked this afternoon after being hit with a puck that deflected off his stick during practice.

"Eaves is going to get checked out, he got a shot in the jaw, it went off his stick into his jaw, so we'll see what happens with him,'' coach Mike Babcock said.

Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk (flu) left practice early but are fine and expected to play Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m., NBC Sports Network exclusive).

Eaves suffered a broken jaw and concussion when hit by a shot from Nashville's Roman Josi on Nov. 26, 2011, If he can't play, the Red Wings will need to recall a player from the Grand Rapids Griffins, because they have no healthy extra forwards.

Quincey sees eye doctor

Defenseman Kyle Quincey had large, dark glasses on Tuesday, after seeing the eye doctor. He suffered multiple fractures of his cheek bone last Friday.

"It’s so early right now, I really don’t know what’s going on, but it’s not good,'' Quincey said. "I’ll have more information as the week goes along and as the swelling goes down.''

"You have to go stick on puck to make sure the puck doesn’t get to the net and just bad luck,'' Quincey said. "it came up and hit me right where I don’t have protection.''

Samuelsson at least a week away

Right wing Mikael Samuelsson (broken left index finger) continues skating by himself before or after practice. He stick-handled for the first time today since getting injured on Feb.19 on a shot by teammate Ian White during the morning skate. But he still can't shoot.

He will accompany the team on its four-game road trip that starts Friday in Anaheim.

"It feels better, but I’m not quite there yet. Maybe a week,'' Samuelsson said. "It’s a bad finger, top hand and the index finger. To have a splint or something, I’ve tried that, but it’s the stick on your (top) hand as well so you want to have it (OK).''